CHICOPEE - With the start of a new year, the Chicopee Boys & Girls Club has a new voice in efforts to bolster fund-raising efforts: new resource development director Jason M. Reed.

“There hasn’t been a resource development director for several years,” explained Reed, who officially began his new position on Dec. 20. “So I’m still putting together a plan and making connections.”

Reed’s primary responsibilities will be managing the annual fund-raising campaign, updating the database and marketing the club, as well as finding new ways for the community to support the club’s mission. The club hopes to raise $120,000 for 2012.

Reed said he also has some other goals he hopes to accomplish on behalf of the club.

“I hope to get the club to be more self-sufficient. My goal is to rely more on funding (from the public) than on government grants,” he said.

Reed also hopes to help the club move into a position for potential expansion. “I’m hoping to partner with local media outlets to help get the word out about the club,” he continued. “Once the community knows what we do, everything falls into place and they, hopefully, help support us.”

“There is already a barbecue planned, as well as a charitable auction and a centennial gala,” Reed explained.

There is also a new partnership with the Chicopee Electric Light Department, where customers can use an insert tucked into the bill to send donations directly to the club.

Although Reed comes to his new position following 15 years in the restaurant business, including 12 as a manager, this is not his first experience with the Boys & Girls Club.

“I served on the board of directors from 2006 to 2009,” Reed said. “Volunteering gives you a sense of purpose. I didn’t want to leave the board, but I left due to a work transfer to Greenfield.”

While it was a difficult decision to leave, Reed said he would not be a part of something unless he gave 110 percent.

While serving on the board of directors, Reed was selected to receive the Dr. Edward Ryan Award. “The award is voted on by other board members for work done while serving,” Reed said.

Although Reed had to leave the board, his time with the club stayed with him.

“I grew up in Agawam, and I didn’t have a Boys & Girls Club there,” he said. “One thing I love about the club is it improves social skills for children.”

Reed said he was looking for a change and thought he could bring his skills from the restaurant business to a non-profit organization.

““There isn’t much of a difference between non-profit and for profit,” Reed said. “The basic (theme) is the same, which is to sell something. Rather than selling food, I’m selling relationships to foster donations.”

Reed said working for the club represents a different set of challenges for him. “The club is always open and looking for new friends and volunteers from the community,” he said.